Environmental Issue & Sick Building Syndrome Blog

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Lead dust or lead in drinking water can easily rob a child of 10 IQ points, or be the cause of behavior problems. These problems last a lifetime and there is no remedy or cure, only prevention.

The damage done to a child is damage done to all of us. We need to be responsible to avoid lead hazards. For an article I wrote about what you can do about lead in the home, got to http://www.envirospect.com/Lead

Health Effects of Lead in Children According to the EPA

Damage to the brain and nervous system

Behavior and hearing problems

Lowering of IQ

Slow physical growth

Anemia

Health Effects of Lead in Adults According to the EPA

Nervous system effects

Cardiovascular effects

Decreased kidney function

Reproductive problems

Miscarriage and premature birth in women

Keeping Your Home Lead Safe

Keep all surfaces well painted. HUD suggests no more than 1 square inch of peeling paint

Repair the causes of peeling paint such as leaks promptly

Keep the home dust free

Wet mop wood floors that may contain lead

Wet wipe friction areas such as where windows and doors rub

Do not use steel wool or friction pads on surfaces that may contain lead

Run water for 30 seconds before using for drinking or food preparation to reduce lead in lines

Use only cold water to prepare foods

Teach children to wash hands and remove shoes after playing outside

Use lead safe procedures for hobbies that use lead such as ceramics, stained glass, fish lures.

Do not use sweepers with beater bars of mops with scrubber strips on finishes that contain lead

Do not shake or beat carpets in homes that may contain lead dust.

Testing for lead

Physicians can test for lead in blood. This is a simple test that should be conducted if there is any possibility that lead exposure could occur in the home, school, daycare or any other place a child may spend time.

Surfaces can be tested for lead using 3M Lead Check Swabs. These EPA approved tests determine of lead is on the surface of tested finishes and are available from 3M directly or other retail outlets. Call 800-949-3552 or go to www.leadcheck.com/contactus to order

Layers of paint can be tested using EPA approved D-Lead test systems. These tests use a punch tool and allow testing of all of the layers of paint at a location. These can be used for applying the EPA RRP rule. Locate a distributor at www.esca-tech.com or call 414-962-3006

XRF standing for X-Ray Fluorescence is a HUD approved methodology that would only be available from a highly trained and licensed lead assessment professional.